About 3,000 watch game at Ferrell Center

WACO, Texas -- Before 1995, dancing was forbidden on the campus of the world's largest Baptist university, founded 160 years ago.

Students seemed to be making up for lost time Tuesday night after the Baylor women's basketball team won its first NCAA national title, soundly defeating Michigan State 84-62 in Indianapolis.

As music blared into the damp night, hundreds of students danced in the street and on the student center lawn, while others cheered and popped firecrackers. Some drove by hanging out their windows and honking their horns.

"Not to be here tonight was unimaginable," said Lana Waden, 52, who works in Baylor's admissions office. "It's incredible. You get the feeling we're at the game, and they can feel our cheering and encouragement."

With two minutes left in the game, the celebratory frenzy began and didn't stop as Baylor sealed the victory.

This year the Lady Bears (32-3) earned their first Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles -- just five years after coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson took over a program that had finished a seven-win season and had never been to the NCAA Tournament.

Many at the Ferrell Center on Tuesday wore gold and green T-shirts that read "Got Mulk?" -- referring to the coach.

"I want to see them make history tonight," said Andrew Bowles, 12, of nearby Robinson, who wore a bright yellow fright wig.

A victory celebration was planned after the team returned Wednesday afternoon at Baylor, which has about 14,000 students.

"I think this is definitely encouraging to the school, especially coming back from the tragedy and turmoil," said Patty Woo, 22, a graduate student from San Antonio.

Two years ago, Baylor basketball player Patrick Dennehy was shot to death, and a teammate was charged. The murder trial of former player Carlton Dotson is set for June.

The school also levied stiff sanctions on itself. The men's team was last in the Big 12 this season.

"That was a surreal chapter, but that book is closed," Chaves said after the Lady Bears' victory. "I think at this stage of the game, you're seeing what the true Baylor is all about. Today's pretty bright."

Other bright spots are the school's baseball, softball and women's tennis teams, all nationally ranked this spring.

The men's tennis team won the school's first NCAA championship last spring. Last summer, Baylor track stars Jeremy Wariner and Darold Williams won gold medals at the Olympics.